Impressive Empire ormolu and marble Diana chariot clock

This superb Empire period mantel clock is crafted from verde antico marble, ormolu, and enamel. The clock is of exceptional quality, as evidenced by the fineness of the ormolu mounts.

The mantel clock features a shaped verde antico marble base, which is raised on six ormolu toupie feet. The face of the base is mounted with an encompassing beaded frieze, and set to the front with a wonderfully ornate rinceau. The rinceau is centred with a putto blowing twin horns, and the scrolls of its leafing vines are draped with symbols of music and the arts, such as pan flutes and dramatic masks.

The base is surmounted by a large ormolu sculptural group of the Roman goddess Diana, who hunts with her drawn bow from a chariot pulled by twin hounds who prance over a dead game bird. The facing wheel of the chariot serves as the clock’s chapter ring, which is wrought from parcel gilt blue enamel, with the Roman numeral hour indices contained within faux white cartouches.